FAR-RIGHT political organisation the British National Party (BNP) has distanced itself from claims that it has set up a vigilante group to police a troubled Runcorn estate.

Last week a spokesman claiming to be from the extremist party, said a group, called the Secure Community Front (SCF) was operating in Castle Rise, which they claim is plagued by drug dealing and money laundering.

Said to be 150 strong, the spokesman said the group had been forced to take action because of a lack of resources within the police and inactivity on the part of local councillors.

But Halton's official BNP representative, Paul McEwan, said: 'We do not know who is making these

claims on behalf of the BNP but we are not involved in anything like that. We were not aware of the existence of the SCF and we certainly do not organise them. We are not vigilantes, and we believe that policing issues should be dealt with by the police. We've never even leafletted the Castle Rise estate, let alone taken it upon ourselves to police the area.'

And the actions of the SCF were condemned by Cheshire Police, who said they were aware of flyers which had been distributed by persons claiming to be from the BNP.

Chief insp Dave Booth, operations manager for the Halton Division, said: 'We have investigated the contents of the letter and although we are unable to substantiate the claims, we are aware of the day to day problems of people living in that area of Halton.

'We are working with the borough council to reduce crime and improve the environment.'

Det Sgt Simon Owen of the Halton Dedicated Drugs Team, added: 'The Dedicated Drugs team is committed to stamping out drug related crime and the availability of drugs on the Castle Rise estate as well as everywhere else in Halton. It is more effective to put offenders through the courts than it is for vigilantes to take the law into their own hands.'

And Cllr Stef Nelson hit out at criticisms of himself and fellow ward councillor, Alan Massey, whom the SCF accused of a 'lack of activity' to help solve the problems they claim are rife on the estate. He said: 'I also received a copy of these claims by the so-called SCF and I am not aware of the massive problems regarding drug dealing and money laundering they claim in it.

'I try to work with local community groups and there was a strong residents group around there until recently, but this claim is knocking the work of those people. It's a very close knit community around there.

'To have vigilante groups operating is not acceptable.

'Most estates have their problems, but we are trying to deal with them and we're doing our best.'